Marine Fisheries

B. Ocracoke Corridor (OC) The area in Ocracoke Inlet bound by the following points: Beginning at a point at 35° 07.9390’N- 76° 03.8080’W, then running northeasterly near Marker #9 at Nine Foot Shoal Entrance at 35° 08.4411’N- 76° 02.6848’W, then running northeasterly near Marker “14 BF” at 35° 09.3627’N- 76° 00.6259’W, then running southeast near Marker #7 at the mouth of Silver Lake at 35° 06.9091’N- 75° 59.3882’W, then following the shoreline southwesterly to a point at the north side of Ocracoke Inlet at 35° 04.4200’N- 75° 59.9245’W, then crossing the inlet to a point on Portsmouth Island at 35° 03.7014’N- 76° 02.2595’W, then in a northerly direction to a point on Beacon Island at 35° 05.9352N- 76° 02.7408’W, then running in a northwesterly direction to the point of beginning.

C. Hatteras Corridor (HC) The area in Hatteras Inlet bound by the following points: Beginning at a point at 35° 13.4489’N- 75° 47.5531’W, running east to the site of an old platform at 35° 14.0100’N- 75° 45.8097’W, then running northeast near Marker “42 RC” at the mouth of Hatteras Channel at 35° 16.7617’N- 75° 44.2341’W, then following the channel near Marker “HR” at 35° 13.3152’N- 75° 41.6694’W, then following the shoreline to a point on the north side of Hatteras Inlet at 35° 11.3408’N- 75° 44.9907’W, then crossing the inlet to the south side to a point on Ocracoke Island at 35° 11.0793’N- 75° 45.9645’W, then following the shoreline northwest to a point northwest of the Ocracoke/Hatteras ferry terminal at 35° 11.5985’N- 75° 47.0768’W, then running in a northerly direction to the point of beginning.

D. Oregon Inlet Corridor (OIC) The area in Oregon Inlet bound by the following points: Beginning at a point near Marker #12 at Old House Channel at 35° 45.0883’N- 75° 35.9600’W, then following the channel in a northeasterly direction to a point near Marker #53 at 35° 47.2157’N- 75° 34.4264’W, then running easterly near Marker #13 near Oregon Inlet Fishing Center harbor entrance at 35° 47.7076’N – 75° 32.9762’W, then running southerly to a point on the south side of Oregon Inlet at 35° 46.0500’N- 75° 31.6166’W, then running in a southerly direction along the shoreline to a point at 35° 41.0000’N- 75° 29.3271’W, then running west to a point at 35° 41.0000’N- 75° 33.8397’W, then in a northerly direction to the point of beginning.

E. Mainland Gillnet Restricted Area (MGNRA) The area on the mainland side of Pamlico Sound, from the shoreline out to 200 yards, between the 35° 00.0000’ N Latitude Line and the 35° 46.3000’ N Latitude Line and east of the 76° 30.000’ W Longitude Line.

III. GEAR RESTRICTIONS:Large mesh gill nets are defined in this proclamation as those gill nets with stretched mesh of 5 ½ inches and greater. Small mesh gill nets are defined as those gill nets with stretched mesh less than 5 inches. Gill nets with a mesh size 5 inches or greater and less than 5 ½ inches are prohibited from April 15 through December 15 in accordance with N.C. Fisheries Rule 15 A NCAC 3J .0103 (a)(2).

A. SGNRA1, SGNRA2, SGNRA3, SGNRA4, and MGNRA

1. From 12:01 A.M. on September 15, 2012 through November 30, 2012, fishing operations will be limited to a maximum of 2,000 yards of large mesh gill net and a maximum of 2,000 yards of small mesh gill net. This applies to operations fishing in SGNRA1, SGNRA2, SGNRA3, SGNRA4, and MGNRA or any combination of these areas.

2. From 12:01 A.M. on September 15, 2012 through November 30, 2012, the use of large mesh commercial gill netsin SGNRA1, SGNRA2, SGNRA3, and SGNRA4 will require a PSGNRA Permit (as outlined below). No permit will be required to fish in the MGNRA.

B. Inlet Corridors (OC, HC, OIC)

1. From 12:01 A.M. on September 15, 2012 through November 30, 2012, the use of large mesh gill nets in any of the corridors is prohibited. Commercial fishing operations using small mesh gill nets will be limited to a maximum of 2,000 yards.

IV. GILL NET RESTRICTIONS:

A. It is unlawful to use more than 200 yards of gill net in one continuous line.

B. It is unlawful to use more than one 200 yard section of gill net without leaving a space of at least 25 yards between separate lengths of next.

C. If the 200 yard sections of net are connected, then a single yellow buoy is required to be placed at each end of the break between sections of net. The buoys must conform to the size and construction requirements in N.C. Fisheries Rule 15A NCAC 03J .0103 (c).

V. PERMITS AND PERMIT CONDITIONS:

A. Pamlico Sound Gill Net Restricted Area Permit (PSGNRA) is required for participation in large mesh commercial gill net fisheries in the SGNRAs from 12:01 P.M. on September 15, 2012 through November 30, 2012. It is unlawful to violate any of the permit conditions specified below.

B. A single PSGNRA permit is required for each large mesh commercial fishing operation, regardless of the number of persons involved. A fishing operation is defined as all individuals, the vessel actively deploying and fishing gill nets in the SGNRAs, and all nets used under one Permit and one Standard Commercial Fishing License (SCFL). The operation shall have the PSGNRA Permit in possession at all times while on the water. A vessel shall be listed on only one PSGNRA Permit.

C. An individual must hold or be assigned a Standard Commercial Fishing License (SCFL) or a Retired Standard Commercial Fishing License to obtain a PSGNRA Permit. When a SCFL is assigned, the PSGNRA Permit will be issued in the name of the assignee. The vessel used in the commercial fishing operation must be identified on the PSGNRA Permit application.

D. It is unlawful for Gill Net Restricted Area permitees to refuse to allow onboard fisheries observers to collect data from gill net fisheries in the PSGNRA. Failure to allow an observer onboard or allow Marine Patrol inspection shall result in revocation of the PSGNRA Permit. Other violations of permit conditions may result in the suspension or revocation of the Permit.

E. Weekly reports from PSGNRA permitees are required to be submitted to NCDMF on forms provided by the Division in accordance with conditions found in the PSGNRA Permit. These reports are required only when permitees fish during that week. Reports are due by 5:00 p.m. each Friday. Late reports will result in revocation of the PSGNRA Permit.

F. No permit is required to fish in the MGNRA, however if a fishing operation fishes in both the MGNRA and the SGNRA a permit is required.